Join IRDG

For companies doing R&D and innovation in Ireland who'd rather not do it alone.

Join Ireland's independent, business-led innovation network. Corporate membership gives colleagues across your organisation practical routes into peer knowledge, capability building, funding guidance and a collective industry voice.

Request a membership conversation Ask about fees and eligibility

300+member companies

24industry sectors

Since 1992supporting R&D in Irish industry

Corporatemembership — colleagues across your organisation take part

What membership gives your organisation

Four ways membership helps your organisation.

Influence

Turn industry experience into a stronger collective voice.Contribute evidence to policy discussions and submissions affecting R&D and innovation.Explore influence

Capability

Build practical innovation capability.Develop your team through programmes, workshops and eligible Skillnet-supported training.Build capability

Connections

Reach people facing related challenges.Meet peers through practice groups, site visits, events and thoughtful introductions.Meet the network

Funding

Make sense of funding routes.Understand grants, the R&D Corporation Tax Credit and EU programmes before taking the next step with the relevant agency or adviser.Explore funding support

Member voices

Why members value the network.

For us, collaboration is a strategic building block, rather than just being a source of funds … collaboration is instrumental to our future-proofing the business.

Catherine Evans · RDI Collaboration Manager, Fexco

IRDG helped the group develop into a significant process development resource within the global R&D organisation. This has been critical for us in enhancing the profile of the site and influencing corporate investment.

Barry Walsh · Chief Scientific Officer, Alcon

What's included

What your organisation can draw on.

Membership opens several routes into IRDG. Availability, eligibility and any additional fee vary by programme or event; the team will help you identify the most useful starting points.

Policy and influenceInfluence

Have relevant industry evidence carried into submissions, consultations and IRDG's participation in working groups. Use findings from the annual Ireland's Innovation Index, produced with KPMG.

Networking and peer learningConnections

Practice groups, Members Question Time, site visits, member introductions, Innovators Edge sessions and the Amplify Innovation Summit.

Innovation capabilityCapability

Foundations for Strategic Innovation, Accelerating Strategic Innovation and Strategic Innovation programme, subject to programme eligibility and availability.

Training and upskillingCapability

Workshops and eligible Skillnet-supported open or in-company training in areas such as AI, sustainability, design, lean product development and innovation management.

R&D Corporation Tax CreditFunding

Clinics, briefings and opportunities to hear from specialist advisers and public bodies. IRDG provides information and navigation, not tax or legal advice.

Funding and grantsFunding

Guidance on Irish and EU funding routes, agency briefings, member case studies and introductions to external specialists where appropriate. IRDG does not determine eligibility or funding decisions.

Membership is corporate.Colleagues across the organisation covered by the membership can take part. Some programmes, events and training have separate eligibility, capacity or member fees.

Three IRDG members in conversation over coffee at a network event.

How membership starts

One conversation. A practical start.

We begin with what your organisation is trying to achieve, then shape a useful start around the people, topics and opportunities that matter most.

Talk

Tell us what you are working on, where support would help and who should be involved.

Confirm

We confirm eligibility, the organisation covered by the membership, the annual fee and the priorities for your first year.

Put it to work

We connect you with the relevant IRDG team member and map practical next steps across events, practice groups, programmes and guidance.

Your first month may include

An orientation with the IRDG team

Relevant introductions, subject to fit and availability

A recommended events and programmes plan

A date to review what is proving useful

The order depends on your priorities and the live calendar.

Before you join, worth knowing

Fees and eligibility

An annual membership fee, confirmed before you join.

Membership gives colleagues across the organisation covered by the membership access to member services; some programmes, events and training carry separate member rates. We confirm the fee, what it covers, the annual term and how it applies to multi-site or group structures before you join.

Ask us for the current membership fee and exactly what it covers.

Eligibility. IRDG membership is for industry companies and third-level research organisations actively engaged in R&D or innovation. We confirm eligibility, the organisation covered and the appropriate fee before you join.

Check eligibility and fees

Before you join

Fair questions

Who is eligible to join?

IRDG membership is for industry companies and third-level research organisations actively engaged in R&D or innovation. We confirm eligibility during the initial conversation.

How is IRDG different from Enterprise Ireland or IDA Ireland?

IRDG is an independent, business-led membership network. We help members learn from one another, build innovation capability, understand relevant supports and contribute industry evidence to policy. We work alongside Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Taighde Éireann and other bodies; we do not award grants or make agency decisions.

Who from our organisation can take part?

Membership is held by the organisation, so colleagues in R&D, engineering, product, innovation, finance, people, operations and leadership can take part where a service or event is relevant. Any event-specific eligibility, capacity or additional fee is shown at booking.

What does the annual fee cover?

The annual fee covers corporate membership and access to IRDG member services for the agreed organisation. Some programmes, events and training have separate member charges. Ask us how membership applies to multi-site or group structures.

How does Skillnet support work?

Eligible companies may receive support for selected training delivered through IRDG Innovation Skillnet. The level of support, eligibility and participant requirements vary by course; the course listing or IRDG team will confirm the details before booking.

What are the membership term and renewal arrangements?

Membership runs for 12 months and can begin at any time of year. Renewal, notice and any cancellation provisions are set out in the membership agreement before you join.

Start with a useful conversation.

Tell us what your organisation is working on and where you would value support. A member of the IRDG team will help you assess fit, explain the fee and suggest a practical starting point. No presentation required.

info@irdg.ie · (01) 234 2401
IRDG, Regus Pembroke House, 28–32 Upper Pembroke Street, Dublin 2

Not ready to talk yet?

Get the monthly IRDG briefing: funding deadlines, event dates and one practical idea to put to work.